Charles michel



(No Model.)

C. MICHEL.- FILTERING 0R PURIPYING APPARATUS.

No. 507,024. Patented Oct. 17, 1893.

[nvenlor v Wbzesses liwsw UNITED STATES PATENT @rnicn.

CHARLES MICHEL, OF LYONS, FRANCE.

FILTERING OR PURIFYING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 507,024, dated October 17, 1893.

Serial No. 443.251. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES MICHEL, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Lyons, in the Department of the RhonaRepublic of France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filtering andPurifying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This combined mask and helmet has for its object to enable the wearer to enter into places where respiration is difficult and to remain there a considerable time without in any way suifering. In other words, this device filters, purifies and renders breathable the most intense smoke, fumes of sulphur, ammoniacal gases, carbonic acid, lighting gas, in a word, any kind of deleterious gases, without any fear of asphyxia.

The principle of the invention consists in causing the air which is unbreathable to pass through a sponge soaked with acidulated water (vinegar or acetic acid) before reaching the mouth. The air is thus deprived, during its passage through the sponge, of all its deleterious gases and reaches the mouth in a pure and fresh state. By this means, the use of air pumps, hitherto employed for forcing pure air through a tube to a person enveloped in this deleterious atmosphere, is dispensed with. This tube rendered the movements of the operator very difficult and even impossible. This improved device, however, being completely independent, allows the operator to move ab'outas he may desire without being hindered or prevented in any way. This device is shown on the accompanying sheet of drawings.

Figure 1 is a face view, and Fig. 2 a section on the line l2 of Fig. 1.

It consists essentially of a filtering cask or helmet O (in the drawings, the common form of a fire helmet is shown) and of a mask M fitting perfectly the outline of the face. This mask is connected with the visor of the helmet by means of little hooks A, and it is further connected to the helmet by two small chainsc c, the object of which is to draw the mask tightly on the wearer. A rubber tube T; with metallic fittings, leads away from the mask M connecting it with the upper part of the helmet.

- met a series of holes a for the entrance of the vitiated air, which latter, having traversed the lining Jand the sponge E and been puritied in its passage through the sponge, comes fresh through the tube T into the mask M to the mouth of the wearer.

The following arrangement is employed to secure the mask fitting the wearer tightlyz The mask M has, on its interior, a beading or a projecting band I where a circular india rubber band B can rest. The face of the wearer being pressed against this india rubber tube It by the two extended chains, the vitiated air cannot penetrate into the interior of this mask, as such will only allow of the passage of the purified air by the tube T which has passed across the sponge E. The mask M is further furnished with two glasses VV, corresponding to the eyes of the operator as well as with a valve S placed opposite the mouth, so that the wearer may be able to call out if he so desires.

If it be desired, the impregnated sponge for purifying the air, in place of being placed inside the mask, could be put in a box to be carried by the wearer.

I declare that what I claim is 1. An air filtering and purifying respiratory appliance consisting of a helmet having a chamber in its upper part said chamber having an outlet formed through the upper part of the helmet and inlets in the form of apertures in the walls of said helmit, of a sponge arranged in said chamber between said inlets and outlet and a mask connected with the outlet of the helmet and adapted to fit closely over the wearers face, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a helmet having an a air outlet in its upper part, of a woolen lining arranged across said helmet whereby a chamber is formed therein, a sponge in said chamber between said inlets and outlet, a mask, connected to the helmet and adapted to cover the face of the wearer, and a tube connecting said mask with the outlet of the chamber in the helmet, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a helmet having an air outlet at its upper part, of a lining of woven fabric arranged across said helmet whereby a chamber is formed therein a sponge in said chamber between said inlets and outlet, a mask, hinged to the forward edge of said helmet and adapted to cover the face of the I 5 wearer, chains secured to the sides of said helmet and adapted to be connected to the lower part of said mask; and a tube connecting said mask with the outlet of the chamber in the helmet, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES MICHEL.

Witnesses:

XAVIER J ANICOT, JEAN GERMAIN. 

